Help ! A/C condenser leaking...

[GeorgeK]

My A/C is empty, the dealer tells me that the condenser is leaking.He wants 320$ for the condenser and 320$ to change it.
Can anyone tell me if I can change this condenser myself with standard tools (I don't own a workshop but I have a lot of tools)?
Is the condenser the one hidden between the 2 front footwells, behind the microfilter for the ventilation?
The car has the full automatic climate control
Thank you in advance for any insught.
GeorgeK

[Wyldm5]

Hi George,

hmm 320 seems kind of high to recharge your system but it has been a almost 2 years since my car was recharged but it was only $58 back then. Not sure how much a new condenser is either but you might want to check about just changing the entire AC unit to one that is Freon free. My father did this to his 90 535is this past year and has been quite happy with the results. If you want more info just email me and I'll see what more info I can get on the type and brand of unit he had installed.

Best Regards,

[GeorgeK]

The car is a 1995 model, which is already freon-free.
I also own a 1991 535, which uses freon.
The comparison is interesting:
-1991, freon, 110000 miles, NEVER one problem, NO refills, NO leaks.
-1995, freon free, well,...
BTW, my dealer tells me that the freon free system causes 10 times more trouble, with leaks, costs, gas disappearing within two years without leaks.
I reserva my judgement, but so far freon wins...
Best regards, George

[GeorgeK]

The car is a 1995 model, which is already freon-free.
I also own a 1991 535, which uses freon.
The comparison is interesting:
-1991, freon, 110000 miles, NEVER one problem, NO refills, NO leaks.
-1995, freon free, well,...
BTW, my dealer tells me that the freon free system causes 10 times more trouble, with leaks, costs, gas disappearing within two years without leaks.
I reserva my judgement, but so far freon wins...
Best regards, George

[Mats Touring]

Hi fellow M5s
Mi -92 Touring was also empty on freon when i bought it but i claimed at the dealer and they converted it free of charge into the new R1xx something but according the BMW mechanic(friend of mine also)who does the work on my car this new system is pisspoor compared to the old freon stuff.
All good working stuff seems to be bad or poison to the enviroment!!!
Rgds

[Gary Derian]

The condenser is in front of the radiator. It is the evaporator that is beside the microfilter.